CARRBORO Attractions & AREA MAP 2nd Edition
Welcome to Carrboro! Carrboro has been called many things over the years. Most of them flattering. Recently, we were named one of America’s top 100 art towns. We have a few art galleries of course, but most likely we gained this distinction because art infuses every corner of our town, from public sculpture to coffee to food to, well, art in more expected places such as galleries, stores and a little place called, of all things, The ArtsCenter. There are many fun things about this town. One of them is the passion of the people who live here. Some folks are passionate about politics. Others about beer. Some folks are passionate about comedy. And some folks about coffee. Okay, nearly everyone is passionate about coffee. More to the point, the people who have opened shops here are passionate about what they do. And many of them enjoy national and even international reputations. So come spend a perfect day with us and see why people who live in Carrboro are so proud of their town.
Armadillo Grill Swing by the Armadillo Grill along with all the locals for terrific and inexpensive Tex-Mex food. Be sure to try their locally famous soft tacos and absolutely say yes to their renowned queso dip. And here’s a little known fact: they make fresh tortillas for each order. When you have your food, sally up to the salsa bar and enjoy as much salsa as you like, also made every morning from fresh produce. www.armadillogrill.com
Carrboro Beverage Company If you’re looking for a special micro-brew soda, beer or a nice bottle fo wine, this charming shop is the place for you. Have a beer from the tap while you browse the great selection at this top-notch store. Some Carrborites simply call this place Tyler’s Bottle Shop, but whatever you call it, it’s a fun place to browse and shop, in part because you can buy or request nearly any beer available in North Carolina.
Carrboro Raw Want a delicious taste of Carrboro? Well, nothing could be more Carrboro than this place… it’s mission is to provide alternative, nutritious and delicious raw drinks that are in harmony with our bodies and the earth – made to order and on demand by people who are passionate about life, earth and, well, everything Carrboro… clearly. www.carrbororaw.com
Carrburritos Carrburritos is a local institution, serving up generous and reasonably priced portions of Mexican food. Make sure to try their famous flour tortilla chips and sample their six different salsas. Like most things Carrboro, everything here is made fresh, in-house everyday and receives rave reviews from locals. Come check out the food, the scene and their cozy outdoor patio. www.carrburritos.com
Glasshalfull Restaurant & Wine Bar A wine bar, wine shop, and restaurant all under one roof, they successfully combine big-city sophistication with small-town hospitality. This lively restaurant is a great place to meet friends for either a drink and a bite or a delicious bottle of wine and a full lunch or dinner... And do ask Mickey or Jim in the wine shop to recommend wines in any price range. They’ve tasted them all and will help you discover something you’ll love. www.glasshalfull.net
Jessee’s Coffee & Bar No better way to start your day than with a visit to this cozy café, bar and restaurant. Home of The Kind Coffee, Jessee’s. serves up delicious fresh coffee that’s roasted on site along with a fresh roasted atmosphere brimming with good vibes. The Jessee family came together to create this homegrown experience that offers everything they love: incredible coffee along with great food and spirits for breakfast, lunch or dinner. Seating indoors or out on a lovely patio. And of course, you can access free WiFi throughout. www.jesseescoffee.com
Milltown Enter into a land of Belgian-inspired food (try the fries!) of generous proportions supported by more than 150 beers, each of which was personally tested and chosen by Milltown Beermeister Brendon Biggins. Take a moment and enjoy wading through the beer menu that is pages long, each entry coming with a brief and helpful description. Adding to the Milltown experience is an outdoor patio that provides a perfect dining spot most of the year. www.dininganddrinking.com
Open Eye Café Visit the Open Eye Cafe, owned by internationally renowned coffee expert Scott Conary and you’re in for a wonderful experience. Scott’s expertise takes him around the world to teach, lecture, and to judge coffee competitions. Fortunately for us, his first and true love is hand-selecting the coffee beans which he then roasts right here in the back of the Open Eye Cafe. Come sit indoors or out, enjoy the town’s free WiFi, sip some truly miraculous coffee and enjoy a snack. www. openeyecafe.com
Panzanella A truly local culinary experience, Carrboro’s communityowned Italian restaurant, Panzanella was created by the folks at Weaver Street Market (Carrboro’s communityowned grocery store). As delicious as the food is, the cornerstone of the restaurant is considered by many locals to be their bread, baked on site at the Weaver Street Market bakery and served with dinner… and dinner is, as always, made from fresh ingredients which are bought, as often as possible, from local farmers. www.panzanella.coop
Provence Truly bringing Paris to the Piedmont, chef Felix Roux was born and raised in Provence, France and apprenticed at the famous Jane Madeleine restaurant. Felix and
his wife Anne went on to run great restaurants in Carmel, California, Naples, Florida and now here in Carrboro. Their creations have been featured in Gourmet Magazine, the New York Times and Chapel Hill Magazine among many other celebrated national and local publications. With a menu that favors seafood, their culinary creations are a delight not to be missed. www.provenceofcarrboro.com
Tyler’s Restaurant & Taproom Tyler’s is a Carrboro institution among locals from all generations, famous for many things, but especially their delicious garlic fries. Come here to enjoy a casual setting that evokes a sense of comfort and familiarity. And while you’re here, try one of their 32 craft and specialty import beers they have on tap along with a full menu of traditional pub fare and seasonal comfort foods (did we mention the garlic fries?). www.tylerstaproom.com
Weaver Street Market The de facto center of life in Carrboro, this food co-op specializes in authentic foods from small producers and local farmers. What makes them a center of Carrboro’s community is that they manage to have something for everyone whether you shop for organic, vegetarian, or carnivorous food. In addition to the grocery store, they have an on-site bakery, a tremendous hot and cold salad bar, and fresh sushi options. And don’t miss their summer music series… free live music and dancing on their front lawn. www.weaverstreetmarket.coop
The Beehive Salon If you sat down to create the perfect hair salon for Carrboro, it would look exactly like The Beehive. At The Beehive, Diane and her staff take the time to know their clientele and to get involved with the town’s unique culture. While their role is to create gorgeous hair, they provide much more than that, offering an oasis to retreat to and support for all things Carrboro. What’s more, they take great pride in offering top of the line, environmentally friendly and cruelty free products in their cozy and relaxed salon. If you’re looking to have your
hair done for a special event, or just because it’s Tuesday, this is the place to go. www.thebeehive-salon.com
Carr Mill Mall In 1898, Tom Lloyd built Alberta, the cotton mill that was his pride and joy, in a small town originally known as West End, as in the west end of Chapel Hill. That mill took a few twists and turns over the years, during which time the West End became the independent town of Carrboro. In 1977, five years after the mill had closed for the last time, Carr Mill Mall opened as a pedestrian mall of independently owned shops. Today, you can walk the original hardwood floors and enjoy a cacophony of fun and unique stores. www.carrmillmall.com
The Clay Centre Gallery Carrboro is a beehive of creativity and nowhere is that more apparent than at The Clay Centre Gallery. Tucked away on Lloyd Street, this gem is definitely worth finding… North Carolina is famous for its pottery, and here Carrboro potters display and sell their beautiful wares. The Clay Centre is made up of a group of studios, a kiln room, a glaze-mixing room, a courtyard and gallery with an emphasis on exchange among artists, collaboration, and group creative energy. The results speak for themselves. If you have the time and interest you may also take a class or schedule a time to tour the Clay Centre and peek into the studios. Either way, be sure to stop in and enjoy the gallery. You’re sure to be delighted. www. claycentre.com
Fleet Feet Sports This locally owned store represents the best of Carrboro’s robust running culture. Filled with staff who obsess with how your particular foot hits the pavement (or trails as the case may be), getting fit for running shoes here is an experience not to be missed (hint: it includes, and we are not making this up, having someone draw on your feet). The local experts can even recommend a few places to run around town, if you like. Fun Fact: Carrboro is the national headquarters for all Fleet Feet stores around
the nation. Still, you can walk in and ask to speak with the owners of this shop, Brian or Tricia- they’d love to say hi and talk with you about running in Carrboro. www.fleetfeetcarrboro.com
Framer’s Corner Take a walk back in time to personal service combined with decades of experience in framing everything from posters to family heirlooms. The folks at the Framer’s Corner combine artisanship, a love of framing, and respect for whatever moves you to create museum quality framing solutions for all types of art, and at prices that are very reasonable. For a town that loves art, this is our resource for everything framed. www.theframerscorner.com
Jesse Kalisher Gallery Carrboro is home to the internationally acclaimed photographer Jesse Kalisher. Jesse’s work resides in the permanent collections of museums across the world from The Louvre to The Smithsonian. Fortunately, he believes that everyone should have access to affordable art, which makes his flagship gallery perfect for Carrboro. Stop in and browse affordable framed prints and ask to meet the photographer. If Jesse’s not out taking pictures he’s always happy to say hello. www.kalisher.com
North Carolina Crafts Gallery If you want to see why North Carolina is well known for its rich tradition in the craft and creative industry then this gallery is not to be missed. The North Carolina Crafts Gallery features wonderful traditional and contemporary fine crafts made by the best artisans from across the state. Here, you’ll see a wide assortment of pottery, wood turnings, blown glass, jewelry, metal,
fiber art, baskets, photography, toys, folk art and more. A delight for the senses. www. nccraftsgallery.com
Roulette Vintage Roulette Vintage is Carrboro’s local vintage clothing store with a national reputation. With fans who live down the street as well as in Brooklyn and Los Angeles, they feature vintage clothing and accessories for men and women which date from 1930-1980. Because Carrboro loves everything local, local band tees as well as textiles, clothing and accessories by local designers are also available. If vintage is your thing, then you’ve found paradise. www. roulettevintage.com
Seagrove Pottery Since it’s beginnings more than 200 years ago, the town of Seagrove, North Carolina has remained a center for pottery. This lovely shop in the heart of downtown Carrboro shares the best of what Seagrove has to offer. With shelves stacked high with hand made creations, Seagrove provides a remarkable range of pottery that’s both functional and decorative. It’s worth spending time here just to learn a bit more about North Carolina history. And who knows, you might fall in love with a piece or two.
Townsend Bertram and Company A hometown favorite, Townsend Bertram and Company is a unique outdoor outfitter full of experts who will help outfit you for your next adventure. Whether you’re in search of a BPA-free water bottle, the perfect backpack, or a comfortable pair of everyday walking shoes, the staff here will share their time and expertise willingly. In addition, the store’s owners and employees take environmental responsibility into account when deciding which brands and products to bring into the store. You can’t get much more Carrboro than that. www. tbandc.com
The ArtsCenter A visit to Carrboro isn’t complete without checking the ArtsCenter performance schedule. A long-standing bedrock of the Carrboro community, The ArtsCenter prides itself on nourishing the arts, creativity and community through education, performance and exhibition. In practice, this means they have something for everyone, from painting and pottery classes and studios to live performances that run the gamut from Emmy nominated children’s musicians to bluegrass, blues, gospel music and more. The ArtsCenter has an equally diverse theater program and runs a range of terrific classes for all ages and interests. This is truly a center for the arts and one in which all of Carrboro takes pride. www. artscenterlive.org
DSI Comedy Theater Step aside Chicago, our humble Carrboro is home to the nation’s largest annual comedy festival produced by the internationally acclaimed Dirty South Comedy Theater. DSI owner and Executive Producer Zach Ward has trained comedians who have gone onto success everywhere from Saturday Night Live to the Silver Screen and you can watch him and his comedians perform right here in the center of town. DSI is an 84seat non-smoking theater that offers seven shows every week – and if your comically inclined, the DSI Comedy Training Center offers new classes every month in the art of improvisation and sketch comedy. Laugh and learn with the best. www. dsicomedy.com
FUN FACTS There are approximately 150 structures still standing within Carrboro’s current city limits that were erected prior to 1930. The ArtsCenter, a 21,000 sq.ft. community facility in Carrboro that offers a variety of classes and events in the visual, literary and performing arts, began as a painting class in a loft in 1975. F irst called The ArtSchool, it adopted its current na me in 1986. On April 3, 1996, Joan Baez scheduled a fill-in concert at The ArtsCenter, and tickets to its 350-seat concert hall sold out in an hour. In its Travel Guide on June 18, 2002, USA Today na med Carrboro 2nd of “10 great places with arts-filled spaces” Carrboro has been referred to as “the Paris of the Piedmont” because of its high concentration of art related facilities, services and galleries. The na me originated with Nyle Frank, a UNC student, who picked it up from Chapel Hill Weekly reporter John Martin, after Frank moved to Carrboro. Thomas F. Lloyd built Alberta Mill, the town’s first textile mill, in 1899. Ten years after it was built, Julian Carr, a Durham tobacco magnate, bought the mill. In 1914 its name was changed to Carrboro, after he donated electricity and actual streets to the town. From Carrboro, it’s 513 miles to New York, 4,058 miles to Paris, 5,108 miles to Moscow, 6,036 miles to the great pyramids of Egypt, 4477 miles to Anchorage, Alaska and only 25 miles to Raleigh-Durham International Airport. Which is good news if you own an airplane. In 1973 concerned cyclists and town staff members devised a bikeway plan for Carrboro. Today Carrboro has one of the most extensive on- and off-road bikeway systems in this area. Carrboro was founded in 1882, when a spur from the Durha mGreensboro Southern Railway line was extended to link students at the University of North Carolina with the outside world. (The last passenger train to Carrboro ran in 1936, a result of the growing use of automobiles.) The train depot, first na med West End, was located one mile from ca mpus, the minimu m distance (as mandated by a state law) to keep students as far as possible from “city temptations”.
FESTIVAL & EVENT GUIDE NC Comedy Arts Festival
Ohmygoodness it’s true, this is the largest comedy and improv festival in the United States of America. With more than 500 comedians converging on our small town during the weeklong festival, nothing can prepare you for the level of laughter and merriment and, to be sure, sheer silliness that ensues. Come grab a seat at one of the many local comedy venues and prepare to hold on for the ride of your life. www.nccomedyarts.com
Carrboro Music Festival
Carrboro is all about music. This day long, free festival features a ridiculous amount of music (more than 150 different acts) of all types, spanning the range from bluegrass to rap and everything in between. During the festival you’ll find music at just about every outdoor and indoor venue imaginable.... Consider it our own southern Woodstock without the mud and the tents. Did we mention it was free? Enough said. www.carrboromusicfestival.com
The Orange County Artists Guild Annual Open Studio Tour
Carrboro artists open up their studios to the public each year as part of this annual tradition set up by the Orange County Artists Guild. We’re thrilled that this one time a year we get a map and an invitation to peek into the work space of our favorite local artists. www.openstudiotour.com
Piedmont Farm Tour
Wow.... This is actually the largest farm tour in the nation. Right here, in our tiny corner of heaven. Come on all ye locavores - folks who seek out locally grown, produced or raised food. Carrboro is full friendly farmers ready to show you where your food comes from. We celebrate these folks everyday, and once a year we’re able to visit their farms and let them know how important they are to us. Not to be missed. www.carolinafarmstewards.org
2ND Friday Artwalk
Nibble and drink your way through Carrboro on the second Friday of each month from 6PM - 9PM. We get visitors from all over the Triangle who enjoy the walk, the socializing and, of course, the art. www.2ndfridayartwalk.com
Carrboro Film Festival
We do love everything local here in Carrboro, so we created a film festival to highlight local filmmaking talent. You can’t get much more indy than this. And given the nature of our town, a lot of interesting and well made films are shown each year at this festival, held at the Carrboro Century Center. www.carrborofilmfestival.com
Carrboro July 4th Celebration
Against a backdrop of a town draped in American Flags, there’s a parade down Weaver Street culminating in speeches, music and arts and craft booths set up all around City Hall. Inevitably our Mayor reads the Declaration of Independence and all of us line up for fresh-squeezed lemonade. The only question is who will win the water-melon seed spitting contest. www.carrborojuly4th.com
Carrboro Day
Did we mention that we love our town? And that we have plenty of chutzpah, enough that we created a day just to celebrate, well, ourselves? You’re invited, naturally. Come on down and enjoy some good old fashioned southern hospitality as we tell stories, share photographs, music, dancing and games. www.carrboroday.com
Other Events
A homegrown Holiday Parade, CROP walk, Halloween Parade and more. Visit our website for more information. www.walkcarrboro.com
Carrboro Attractions and Area Map
Map Key
For more area information, visit the Chapel Hill & Carrboro Visitors Center 501 West Franklin Street, Chapel Hill, NC 27516, Toll-Free (888) 968-2060 www.visitchapelhill.org
WALKCARRBORO.COM